Program Director: Peggy Cain

The college offers a graduate education program leading to a Masters Degree in Education (M.Ed.). Individuals must be interested in pursuing an advanced degree that is progressive and experiential in its perspective and which has an instructional focus. Commitment to professional growth is a prerequisite.

Philosophy Statement

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree program at Westminster College is committed to improving education through meaningful inquiry and innovative exploration of the connections between teaching practice, beliefs and reflectivity. We emphasize the joining of theory and practice as a means to the personal transformation of teacher and training professionals and the institutions they represent.

The standards of the curriculum reflect the School of Education's commitment to provide a well-rounded education congruent with the needs of master teachers and other instructional professionals. These standards include:

Pedagogy: Students will engage in activities that help to bridge theory and practice by applying theoretical knowledge to field practices; they will acquire and enhance skills in communication, subject area content, and instructional methodologies and technologies.

Critical reflection: Students will grapple with the social, political, and moral implications of educational practices through dialogue, written formats, technological productions, and a variety of presentations.

Scholarly writing: Students will articulate thoughts in a clear, succinct, and organized manner; they will apply appropriate conventions of grammar and punctuation.

Research: Students will plan projects, search relevant professional databases, collect data through interviews and other applicable methods, analyze data, and complete and disseminate findings.

Collaboration: Students will work collaboratively with peers on activities associated with each aspect of their program.

The program is part of a college community distinguished for commitment to student growth and the exploration of scholastic development.

Program Description

Licensed teachers may earn a Basic Reading Endorsement, an Advanced Reading Endorsement, an English as a Second Language Endorsement, or a Special Education Endorsement. Teachers who have been teaching for at least two years may also earn the above endorsements and the M.Ed. while taking classes to prepare them for applying for National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification.

Taking the preparation courses for National Board Certification does not guarantee successful completion of the Certification process (national pass rates are about 50% on the first try). Students who successfully complete required coursework for the M.Ed. will receive the M.Ed. degree regardless of whether they successfully complete the Certification process.

Students may also earn a Montessori Teaching Certificate at either the Early Childhood (ages 2 ½ to 6 years) level or Lower Elementary (ages 6 to 9) level.

Those teaching adults or administering educational programs for adults may earn an Adult Learning Certificate.

Coursework for all endorsements and certificates counts toward an M.Ed.

Note: Should the Utah State Board of Education change its requirements for teaching endorsements, the Master of Education requirements will change accordingly.

Classes in the M.Ed. program provide active, hands-on opportunities to learn and connect course work to students' teaching or work settings.

Admission to the Program

Program Requirements

A minimum of 32 credit hours is required for graduation. A maximum of nine credit hours of graduate-level transcripted credit may be accepted from another accredited college or university. The accepted coursework must fall within the guidelines of Westminster's Graduate Program in Education.*

Although a minimum of 32 credit hours is required, students may desire, or need to complete, additional hours to enhance their graduate degree. Planning this graduate degree program is the responsibility of students in collaboration with their advisors.

*Certain Master of Professional Communication or Master of Business Administration courses may meet graduate education program requirements. Students should consult with their education advisors for specific information and refer to the MPC and MBA sections of this catalog for course descriptions.

Retention in the Program

The student must:

Design and file an acceptable program plan with the Director of the Master of Education program.

Maintain a grade point average of 3.00. Courses in which a grade of B- or lower is awarded do not count toward graduation requirements.

Complete the program within six years, or begin to lose credit for courses older than six years.

Appeals for Readmission

Graduation Requirements

Candidates for graduation should apply to the Registrar's Office approximately two regular semesters prior to planned completion of graduation requirements. Applications for December graduation are due in March and applications for May and August graduation are due in September. Please see the Academic Calendar for more specific dates. Candidates are notified of remaining degree requirements within four weeks after applying for graduation.

To be eligible for a master's degree or graduate certificate, students must satisfy the following conditions:

Meet all credit hour and other course requirements.

Maintain an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above.

Be enrolled at Westminster College during the semester in which they wish to graduate.

Maintain good academic standing.

Earn a grade of B or higher in all graduate courses.

Note: Only graduate-level coursework may be applied toward degree or certificate requirements.

The final responsibility for being informed about, and adhering to, graduation requirements rests with the student.

Program Structure

Students have multiple curricular options in the M.Ed. program. Graduation requires a minimum of 32 credit hours for any option.

Basic Reading Endorsement followed by completion of M.Ed.

Requirement Description

Credit Hours

I. Basic Reading Endorsement (RDG)

21

This program is designed for students who already hold a teaching license and a bachelor's degree and are seeking to become qualified to be a reading teacher at the elementary or secondary level. Students must be admitted to the M.Ed. program.

This program is designed for students who already hold a teaching license and have completed the Basic Reading Endorsement at Westminster College or a regionally accredited institution.

MED 608C

Supervision and Staff Development in Reading Instruction

3

MED 608D

Advanced Reading Research

2

MED 679

Research Methodologies

3

MED 680

Research Project

3

III. Core Course

3

MED 606

Theoretical Perspectives in Education (3)

or

MED 614

Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education (3)

IV. Graduate Seminar

2

MED 650

Introduction to Research Methods

2

TOTAL HOURS FOR THE RDGA ENDORSEMENT FOLLOWED BY COMPLETION OF M.Ed.

37

Recommended Plan of Study for MED with Advanced Reading Endorsement

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Summer Semester

Year 1

MED 612
MED 630
MED 631

Year 2

MED 632
MED 636

MED 633
MED 658

MED 650
MED 608C

Year 3

MED 679
MED 608D

MED 680
MED 606

ESL Endorsement followed by completion of M.Ed.

Requirement Description

Credit Hours

I. English as a Second Language Endorsement (ESL)

18

This program is designed for students who already hold a teaching license and a bachelor's degree, and are seeking to become qualified to be an ESL teacher at the elementary or secondary level. Students must be admitted to the M.Ed. program.

Recommended Plan of Study for MED with ESL Endorsement

Special Education Endorsement followed by completion of M.Ed.

Requirement Description

Credit Hours

I. Special Education Endorsement (SPED)

22

Students who select this area of specialization must hold a teaching license and complete the full Special Education Endorsement program. Students may choose to complete the endorsement in either Mild/Moderate or Severe Special Education. Graduates will be licensed to teach K–12 students with severe or mild to moderate disabilities.

SPED 503

Roles of the Special Educator

3

SPED 508

Principles and Application of Special Education Assessment

3

SPED 577

Facilitating Services Across Disciplines

3

SPED 585

Behavioral Supports in Special Education

3

SPED 590

Student Teaching in Special Education

4

Students preparing for Mild/Moderate Special Education take:

6

SPED 535

Methods of Instruction and Curriculum for K-6 Mild/Moderate Special Education I (3)

SPED 540

Methods of Instruction and Curriculum for 7-12 Mild/Moderate Special Education II (3)

Students preparing for Severe Special Education take:

6

SPED 536

Methods of Instruction and Curriculum for K-6 Severe Special Education I (3)

SPED 541

Methods of Instruction and Curriculum for 7-12 Severe Special Education II (3)

II. Core Course

3

MED 606

Theoretical Perspectives in Education (3)

or

MED 614

Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education (3)

III. Project

8

MED 650

Introduction to Research Methods (2)

2

MED 679

Research Methodologies (3)

3

MED 680

Research Project (3)

3

TOTAL HOURS FOR THE SPED ENDORSEMENT FOLLOWED BY COMPLETION OF M.Ed.

33

Recommended Plan of Study for MED with Special Education Endorsement

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Summer Semester

Year 1

SPED 503
SPED 577

SPED 508
SPED 535 or 536

MED 606

Year 2

SPED 585
SPED 540 or 541

SPED 590

MED 650

Year 3

MED 679

MED 680

Special Education Second License Mild/Moderate followed by completion of M.Ed.

Students who select this area of specialization must hold a teaching license in Severe Special Education. Graduates will be licensed to teach K–12 students with mild to moderate disabilities.

Requirement Description

Credit Hours

I. Special Education Second License Mild/Moderate

20

SPED 535

Methods of Instruction and Curriculum for K–6 Mild/Moderate Special Education I

3

SPED 540

Methods of Instruction and Curriculum for 7–12 Mild/Moderate Special Education II

3

*SPED 577

Facilitating Services Across Disciplines

3

SPED 590

Student Teaching in Special Education

4

*MAT 633

Math Methods

3

*MAT 663

Literacy Foundations, Assessment & Instruction

4

*These courses may be transferred in if already taken as part of the Severe Special Education license.

II. Core Course

3

MED 606

Theoretical Perspectives in Education (3)

or

MED 614

Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education (3)

III. Elective

1

Students may choose from MED coursework to complete this elective requirement.

IV. Project

8

MED 650

Introduction to Research Methods (2)

2

MED 679

Research Methodologies (3)

3

MED 680

Research Project (3)

3

TOTAL HOURS FOR SPED SECOND LICENSE IN Mild/Moderate FOLLOWED BY COMPLETION OF M.Ed.Requires passing score on appropriate Praxis Test before student is recommended for licensure.

32

Recommended Plan of Study for Second License in Mild/Moderate Special Education with M.Ed.

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Summer Semester

Year 1

MAT 633

MAT 663
SPED 535

MED 606
SPED 577

Year 2

SPED 540
Elective

SPED 590

MED 650

Year 3

MED 679

MED 680

Special Education Second License Severe followed by completion of M.Ed.

Students who select this area of specialization must hold a teaching license in Mild/Moderate Special Education. Graduates will be licensed to teach K–12 students with severe disabilities.

Requirement Description

Credit Hours

I. Special Education Second License Mild/Moderate

20

SPED 536

Methods of Instruction and Curriculum for K–6 Severe Special Education I

3

SPED 541

Methods of Instruction and Curriculum for 7–12 Severe Special Education II

3

*SPED 577

Facilitating Services Across Disciplines

3

SPED 590

Student Teaching in Special Education

4

First Aid/CPR certification (non-credit)

*This course may be transferred in if already taken as part of the Mild/Moderate Special Education license.

II. Core Course

3

MED 606

Theoretical Perspectives in Education (3)

or

MED 614

Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education (3)

III. Electives

8

Students may choose from MED coursework to complete this elective requirement.

IV. Project

8

MED 650

Introduction to Research Methods (2)

2

MED 679

Research Methodologies (3)

3

MED 680

Research Project (3)

3

TOTAL HOURS FOR SPED SECOND LICENSE IN SEVERE FOLLOWED BY COMPLETION OF M.Ed.Requires passing score on appropriate Praxis Test before student is recommended for licensure.

32

Recommended Plan of Study for Second License in Severe Special Education with M.Ed.

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Summer Semester

Year 1

SPED 541

SPED 536

MED 606
SPED 577

Year 2

Elective(s)

SPED 590

MED 650
Elective

Year 3

MED 679

MED 680

Adult Learning Certificate followed by completion of M.Ed.

Requirement Description

Credit Hours

I. Adult Learning Certificate (ALC)

15

This program is designed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree, and are seeking to become qualified as specialists with a broad knowledge of adult learning. This is particularly suited to those in educational or training positions who work directly with adults. Students must be admitted to the M.Ed. program.

MED 670

Introduction to Adult Education

3

MED 613

Theories of Adult Learning and Development

3

MED 634

Teaching Adults

3

MED 635

Adult Education Program Planning and Evaluation

3

MED 672

Instructional Technology

3

Some students may complete the Adult Learning Certificate at the undergraduate level by taking the following courses. These courses are general elective credit and do not count towards graduate credit.